Cloverleaf to join Portage Trail Conference at start of 2015-16 season

By Colin Harris | Staff WriterPublished: December 17, 2013 3:59AM

By Colin Harris | Staff Writer

After losing three member schools in the past year, the Portage Trail Conference is finally making a move to return to full strength.

According to Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch on Monday, Cloverleaf Local Schools (Medina County) has accepted an invitation by the PTC to join the league for the 2015-16 school year.

Waesch said that the Cloverleaf Board of Education voted unanimously (5-0) to become the newest member of the PTC.

Currently a member of the Suburban League, Cloverleaf was expected to join the newly formatted Suburban Athletic Conference, along with Portage County schools Kent Roosevelt and Aurora for the 2015-16 school year.

At a PTC league meeting last Monday, Waesch said that four schools made presentations to PTC officials, and that Cloverleaf’s pitch was a standout.

“Eight schools applied to join the league and four schools gave pitches, and we felt that Cloverleaf really had a lot to offer the PTC,” Waesch said. “They have nice facilities, including a turf field, and we felt that they made a great addition to the league.”

Waesch said that one other school has been offered admission to the PTC, although the PTC is waiting for that unidentified school’s officials to receive board approval.

While some have expressed the hope of adding two County Division sized programs to the league, Waesch said that the PTC felt the addition of Cloverleaf and a second school will make for a more balanced league.

“If things play out the way we hope, the playing field in the PTC should be leveled so to speak,” Waesch said. “We hope to have a more competitive County Division, as well as a very competitive Metro Division.”